There was only one thing he could do now.

“You’re right, Kasper. It’s a ploy. And I’m going to tell him just what I think of that.”

Kasper grinned with a self-congratulatory smirk. “That’s my man.”

Thomas pressed the button for the intercom and chose his words carefully. “That was a nice speech, Eddie. Congratulations. If only it were true. Even if it were, it’s too late. Because, you see, you computer genius, the key was always I love Eddie. You can have that now, I won’t need it anymore. So I’m gonna let you mull that one over, you IT wannabe. Because this is the last thing you’ll hear from me until this is done.” He switched off the microphone.

“What the fuck was that garbage?” Kasper growled and glared at him.

“As I said, I told him what I think of the crap he fed me. I fed him the same nonsense. He’ll get it!”

Thomas hoped so with all his heart, because what was hidden in his garbled speech was his password to the company’s systems. Since Thomas had disabled everybody else’s login, only his own login now had control over Scanguards. If Eddie could figure out that he’d just been handed the password to Thomas’s login, he would be able to take over control. In the meantime, Thomas had to buy some time.

Keeping one eye on the computer screen, Thomas stood up and put his hand on Kasper’s arm. Then he motioned to Xander, who was standing a few yards away from them.

“Why don’t you ask Xander to help the others guard the doors?” He stroked suggestively over Kasper’s arm.

A spark ignited in Kasper’s eyes. Without looking away from Thomas, he issued his order.

“Xander go join the others.”

Thomas waited until Xander had left the room. The door was still open, but it didn’t matter.

There was an illusion of privacy and it was all Thomas needed now.

“I don’t want there to be any more lies between us,” Thomas started and pulled his hand off Kasper’s arm.

A disappointed glance was Kasper’s answer. “There are no lies between us.”

“There are things you haven’t explained to me. And if this is going to work between us, then I have to know everything.”

“But you know everything,” Kasper protested.

Thomas turned away, clandestinely glancing at the computer screen to see if anything was happening. But the curser blinked evenly.

“You told me that Keegan was the one who committed all those atrocities. And you claimed that your followers were still doing the same, but that you didn’t order the torture of Sergio and his mate.”

He heard a quick intake of breath behind him.

“Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against a little torture when it’s warranted,” Thomas lied. “But I’d expect you to be honest with me about it. How can we be partners when you hide things from me?” He paused for a moment. “And if you want a blood-bond, then you have to be honest with me.”

He turned back to face Kasper, looking at his stunned expression. Yes, he’d guessed right: Kasper not only wanted him back, he wanted a bond, one that was stronger than anything else, one that would make them both stronger by combining their dark powers.

“You do want a blood-bond, don’t you?” He placed his hand back on Kasper’s arm.

“Yes!” Kasper stepped closer as if he wanted to kiss him, but Thomas turned his head to the side.

“Then tell me the truth. Tell me everything. As your future mate, I deserve it.” Thomas almost choked at the words. He couldn’t imagine anything viler than bonding with Kasper. He never again wanted to be in contact with such evil.

As he waited for Kasper’s answer, Thomas perceived a movement on the computer screen.

Lines of code scrolled over it. He suppressed the sigh of relief that wanted to burst from his chest. Soon this would be over.

“Well, if you put it that way,” Kasper hedged, “you’re right, of course. Keegan and I were much more similar than I would like to admit. Apart from our sexual appetites of course. Those were very different. But the dark power in us craves the same tributes. You feel it in yourself too, don’t you?”

Thomas nodded automatically, still avoiding Kasper’s gaze. “I feel the urge to hurt somebody.” And that wasn’t even a lie.

“Yes, it feels good, doesn’t it? Just as it felt good when I forced Sergio to hurt his mate.”

“You were there yourself?” Thomas suppressed the impulse to slice Kasper’s throat open at the knowledge that he’d done the deed himself.